Carrier



R. B. DUGGAN Nov. 22, 1966 CARRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 10, 1964INVENTOR J Robert B. Duggun ATTORNEY R. B. DUGGAN Nov. 22, 1966 CARRIERFiled Feb. 10, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 Ding INVENTOR Robert B. Duggan BY5 f z ATTORNEY Nov. 22, 1966 R. B. DUGGAN 3,286,280

' CARRIER Filed Feb. 10, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 5. 4

Fig. 9.

INVENTOR Robert B. Duggon ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice PatentedNov. 22, 1966 3,286,280 CARRIER Robert B. Duggan, Louisville, Ky.,assignor to American Radiator & Standard Sanitary Corporation, New York,N.Y., a corporation of Delaware .Filed Feb. 10, 1964, Ser. No. 343,57316 Claims. (Cl. 4252) This invention relates to a mounting device andmethod of mounting wall hung plumbing fixtures.

The invention is particularly useful in the hanging of water closets andwill be described in relation to such use, it beingunderstood howeverthat the invention'is also useful in handling other plumbing fixtures.

Heretofore, installation of a wall hung plumbing fixture such as a watercloset required accurate measuring procedure to locate the proper studposition at which mountings were to be affixed and accurate drilling ornotching of the studs for attaching the mounting means. Special toolssuch as saws, power drills and wood chisels were also required.

According to the subject invention measuring procedure is simplified andspecial tools areeliminated, asisthe need for drilling or notchingstuds. v

In one aspect of my invention, mounting ofa plumbing fixture onvertically positioned spaced studs of a conventional building isaccomplished throug'hflexible straps connected to acarrier and laidtransversely of the studs, the lower straps having depending portions torest on the sill plates to determine the vertical position of. thecarrier. The straps may be maintained temporarily connected in selectedposition by forming projections on the side of the strap so that suchprojections may be driven into the stud. Thereafter fastening means maybe applied to connect the strap to the stud in a manner to develop aclamping force on the stud when the carrier is connected to support theplumbing fixture, whereby the major weight of the fixture is supportedby the clamping action on the stud.

In another aspect of my invention the need for any measurement forvertical position of the carrier is eliminated by predeterminedproportionment of the carrier and resting of a lower portion of thecarrier on the conventional sill plates of the housing frame.

In still another aspect of my invention, the lower portion of thecarrier is provided with vertically adjustable legs to effect correctvertical position.

In a further aspect of my invention lateral positioning of the carrierbetween the studs is facilitated by the use of shim means, adjustableconnections or diverging lower legs as will be described.

It is thus an object of the subject invention toprovide an improvedmounting device for installing wall hung plumbing fixtures.

A further object is to provide an'improved method for installing wallhung plumbing fixtures.

Another object is to provide a simple, inexpensive and reliable meansfor installing wall hung plumbing fixtures.

A still further object is to provide a mounting device and methodreducing the time and skill required to install .a wall hung plumbingfixture.

A further object is to provide a mounting device for a wall mountedplumbing fixture which requires no separate measuring means forcorrectly effecting the mounting.

Another object is to provide in such device means for adjustment toaccommodate normal dimensional variations in stud spacing.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear as thedescription of the particular physical embodiments selected toillustrate the invention progresses, and from reading the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar partsthroughout the several views and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment ofthe mountingdevice of the subject invention.

FIGURE 1a is a sectional elevation of an adapter which may be used withthe mounting of FIGURE 1.

' FIGURES 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1 are perspective views of various tabs.

FIGURE 2 is a plain view of FIGURE 1. FIGURE 3 is a side elevationalview of the mounting device of FIGURES 1 and 2 taken through the wallwith the left hand mounting means removed and also showing a portion ofan attached water closet.

FIGURE 4 is a-partial front elevational view of a mounting device havinglower securing means modified in accordance with an additional aspect ofmy invention.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view ofa further modified form of mountingdevice in accordance with my invention. FIGURE 6 is a plan view of amounting device having upper securing means modified in accordance witha further aspect of my invention.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged elevational view .of a spacer member shown inFIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a mounting device having upper securing meansagain modified in accordance with another aspect of my invention and,

.-FIGURE 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a brace element shown inFIGURE 8.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 2 indicates a carrier positionedvertically in a frame structure between adjacent horizontally spaced andvertically positioned studs 4 and 6 which are mounted on sill plates 8and 10. The carrier 2 has formed integrally therewith a plumbingconnection 12 having one conduit portion 14 for connection to a wastepipe (not shown), another conduit portion 16 for connection to a stack(not shown), and a third conduit portion 18 for connection to a watercloset 20 as shown in FIGURE 3.

Extending generally radially and in the direction of the adjacent faces22 and 24 of the studs 4 and 6 are arms 26, 28, 30 and 32 by which thecarrier 2 is connected to the studs 4 and 6 and to the closet 20, aswill be described.

The arms 26, 28, 30 and 32 are connected to the studs 4 and 6 byelongated flexible strap members 34. In the embodiment shown in FIGURES1 to 3 each strap 34 is bent at right angles adjacent one end and formedwith integral flanges 36 and 38 to provide rigid right angular bracesbetween which the strap is apertured for bolting to the associated arms26, 28, 30 and 32. Each of the carrier arms is slotted adjacent its freeend as at 40 by which the strap is secured to the carrier arm. Thepurpose of the slot 40 is to allow lateral adjustment of the braceportion of the strap with respect to the carrier such that one face 37of the brace rests against the carrierarm and the other face 39 at rightangle thereto rests against the adjacent face of the associated stud.This adjustment is desirable to compensate for normal tolerance inspacing of the studs.

It is understood that an elongated slot 40 could be formed in the straprather than in the associated carrier arm to obtain lateral adjustment.Bolts 42 passing through each strap and its associated carrier arm andsecuring nuts 43 are used to secure the strap to the carrier.

Referring again to FIGURE 2 it will be noted that the remainder of eachstrap is sufiiciently long to pass around two corners of the, associatedstud and the free end of each strap is fastened to the outer face of thestud. In one form of the strap, the strap is pierced to form on one sideone or more projecting portions or tabs 46 which serve when driven intothe stud to secure the strap in place or, alternatively to provide aninitial temporary securement of the straps during positioning of thesame. In the latter case fastenings 44 may be passed through the holesformed by piercing the straps. Since the holding power of the strap onthe stud develops mainly from a clamping of the strap on the studs andnot from the fastenings, as will be described later, the straps may besecured, as previously mentioned, by the projecting tabs of this typeshown in FIGURES 1b to 1 without using separate fastenings such asnails, screws, or the like. These tabs may be readily formed merely bypiercing the strap as shown in FIGURES 1b to If. The tabs may betriangular such as shown at 46b in FIGURE 1b, rectangular with pointedor rounded ends as shown at 46c and 46d in FIGURES 1c and 1drespectively, bent over from an edge portion of the strap as shown at46:2 in FIGURE 12, or bent as shown 'at 46 in FIGURE 1 such that ahammer blow to the bent tab portion will drive the free end into thestud. One or more of these tabs may be used in each strap as required.

The direction of passing the strap around the stud should preferably bein the direction opposite to the force applied to the strap from thecarrier under weight of the water closet. Thus, the two upper straps arepassed over the rear corners of'the stud and the two lower straps arepassed over the front corners of the stud. It will be understood thatthe straps may be made relatively thin, in the nature of light sheetmetal for example, and that the holding power of the straps on the studdevelops mainly from a clamping action of the straps on the studs andnot from the fastenings.

In the matter of vertically positioning the straps for connection to thestuds, an advantageous feature of my invention is that the carrier 2itself serves as a template by providing depending legs 48 and 50 ofpredetermined length to properly position thecarrier and itsassociatedstraps. Thus the straps may be connected to the carrier legs by thebolts 42 and nuts 43 and the carrier isyse't vertically between thestuds resting with its depending legs 48, 50 on the adjacent sillplates. The straps may then be moved laterally such thateach brace faceengages its associated stud and the straps wrapped around the stud andsecured by sinking the strap projections 46 into the studs. Thereafterthe fastenings 44, 'if used, may be inserted through the straps and thenuts on the bolts tightened to form a permanent installation. Asindicated in'FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 intermediate sections of the arms 26,28, 30 and 32 areformed with threaded apertures to receive closet bolts52, 54, 56 and 58 by which the closet 20 is secured to the carrier 2.Suitable lock nuts 60 are provided to abut the carrier 2 and preventrotation of the closet bolts and suitable stop nuts 62 are provided tocooperate with cap nuts 64 for holding .the closet flange 66therebetween and against the wall surface. A conventional threadedadapter or coupling and suitable packing is used to provide a watertight seal and connection between the water, closet and the carrierconduit portion 18.

Under conditions of reasonably competent carpentry in the framing of ahouse, no adjustments of the carrier beyond those described above shouldbe required. However, in the event of unusual circumstances where theframing is considerably out of line, as may be encountered in thereplacement of plumbing in a settled house, there may be occasion foradjusting the height of one or the other side of the carrier 2. In suchcircumstances it may be necessary to insert spacers under one or theother of the depending legs 48, 50. Thereafter the procedure forinstalling the carrier remains the same with its attendant advantages.It is also contemplated that the depending legs may be formed to acceptadapters to be threaded or otherwise adjustably attached to the legs foradjustment of the length thereof. One example of such adapter is shownin FIGURE 1a as an internally threaded member 51 adapted to be threadedon the threaded portion 49 of leg 50 and secured by a set screw 53. Suchadapters could then be used on such special installations.

Referring to FIGURE 4 there is shown therein a modification of theinvention in which the two lower straps 35 are formed with dependingportions 37 of predetermined length to provide proper vertical spacingfor the carrier 2. In this embodiment the lower and upper straps areconnected to the carrier. The carrier is set in vertical positionbetween the studs 4 and 6 with the strap portions 37 resting on the sillplates 8 and 9 thereby determining the verical position of all fourstraps. The straps are secured by taping the projections 46 thereof intothe studs and, if used, thereafter passing fastenings 44 through thestraps and into the studs.

Referring to FIGURE 5 there is shown therein a modification of thesubject invention in which lower straps are eliminated and the carrieris provided with lower arms 68, 70 formed with downwardly extendingflanges 71 and 72 to engage the front face of the sills 8 and 10. Theflanges 71 and 72, which may be fastened to the carrier (by means notshown) or formed integrally with the carrier, as shown, are fixed to thesill plates 8 and 10 by fasteners 74 and 76. In this modification thelower arms 68, 70 are made of predetermined length such that the carrieracts as a template for securing the upper straps and the installationprocedure is as described for the embodiment of FIGURE 1.

Referring to FIGURE 6 there is shown therein a carrier secured by amodified form of strap 78 having an aperture adjacent one end forpassing a screw 80 or other suitable fastening by which the strap issecured to the carrier.. The strap is passed about two edges of itsassociated stud and secured thereto as described for the straps ofFIGURES 1 and 2.. The carrier in FIGURE 6 is maintained in a desiredlocation between the adjacent studs by'trim members 82 and 84 positionedbetween the strap and its adjacent stud as indicated. A preferred formof trim member is shown in FIGURE 7 and comprises a plurality of stepswith each succeeding step in the direction of the end 86 of the trimmember providing a greater width while maintaining surfaces b, c, d ande parallel to the surface indicated at a. With this form of trim memberthe surface a is placed adjacent the stud and the trim member lowereduntil a selected surface b, c, d, or e is in engagement with theadjacent surface of the. strap. An advantage of this form of trim memberis the maintenance of planar contact on both sides of the trim memberand the utility of the steps in preventing the member from passingdownwardly between the strap and stud should compression on the memberbe relieved.

Referring to FIGURE 8 there is shown a plan view of the carrier mountedto the supporting studs in accordance with a further modification of theinvention in which separate right angle brace members 88 and 90 areemployed. Each brace member such as 88 is formed with an elongated slot92 adjacent the end of one leg of the brace. The slot may be open at theend as shown in FIGURE 9 or alternatively, the end of the slot 92 may beclosed. In this arrangement straps 94 and 96 are each formed with anaperture adjacent one end and the remainder of the strap is passedaround the edges of the stud and fixed thereto in the previouslydescribed manner. A bolt 98 is passed through the apertured carrier andstrap and through the slot 92. The brace is urged outwardly to sandwichportions of the strap between the brace and carrier and between thebrace and stud as indicated and a nut 100 is tightened on the bolt. Thisarrangement produces an adjustable rugged connection of the carrier tothe stud and is adapted to low cost manufacturing methods.

It is to be understood that any of the methods described for connectingthe upper straps to the carrier may be used with any of the methodsdescribed for supporting the lower portion of the carrier. Thus, any ofseveral combinations may be used in accordance with the invention.

It is also to be understood that the connecting conduit shown anddescribed herein as a conventional T may assume other forms and may beseparately connectable to the carrier by bolts, set screws or othersuitable means to provide flexibility in the form of connecting conduitwhile effecting standardization of the carrier and securingmeans.

It will be evident. from the foregoing that several advantageousimprovements are effected by the subject invention. No special tools arerequired to install the mounting device. No separate templates arerequired to effect proper location of the carrier. Means are providedfor facilitating lateral adjustment in compensation for normal tolerancein erecting frame members. No drilling, notching or other carpentry isrequired. The strap connecting means being flexible and relatively thinoffer no interference to the installation of sheet rock or wall board,are easily bent into position on the stud, and yet through clampingaction on the stud, afford a secure and reliable support means. Thedevice is adapted to low cost manufacturing methods and requires lesstime and skill to install than conventional mounting devices.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preciseconstructions shown and described, but that changes and modificationsare contemplated as fall within the spirit of the invention and thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mounting device for supporting a plumbing fixture from spacedvertically positioned frame members comprising, a carrier, said carrierhaving sections formed to receive connecting means for supportinglyconnecting the plumbing fixture thereto and apertured portions extendingin the direction of the frame members, together with means forconnecting said carrier portions to said frame members, said meanscomprising elongated mounting straps, means for connecting one endportion of each of said straps to an associated carrier portion, saidstraps being sufliciently flexible to wrap transversely about anassociated frame member in a direction opposite and tensile force to beapplied to said straps by the weight supported by said carrier, saidstraps being sufficiently long to overlap at least two corners of saidframe members, and means for securing the free end of each strap to itsassociated frame member.

2. A mounting device as set forth in claim 1 and in which the ends ofsaid straps which attach to said carrier are bent and reinforced to formrigid angular braces, each of said braces having one leg apertured forconnection to said carrier, its other leg being adapted to seat againstthe frame member.

3. A mounting device as set forth in claim 1 and including right anglebracket members, each bracket member having one leg formed to receive aconnector means securing the bracket to an associated carrier portionwith one of said straps positioned between said bracket and carrierportion and between said bracket and frame member.

4. A mounting device as set forth in claim 3 and in which said one legof each bracket is slotted to provide lateral adjustment of said bracketwith respect to said carrier.

5. A mounting device as set forth in claim 1 and in which spacedportions of said straps are pierced to form projecting tabs which may beforced into said frame members to secure said straps in position.

6. A mounting device for supporting a plumbing fixture from horizontallyspaced vertically positioned frame members and above horizontal sillplates fixed to the frame members, comprising a carrier, means attachedto said carrier for supporting the plumbing fixture therefrom, saidcarrier having upper outwardly extending portions for attachement to theframe members and lower outwardly extending portions to rest on saidsill members, said lower portions having downwardly extending flangeportions to engage a vertical side of the sill plates to prevent inwardmovement of said lower portions, said flange portions being formed toreceive a fastening to secure said flanges to the sills, means forconnecting said upper portions to the frame members to prevent outwardmovement thereof, said lower carrier portions being of a predeterminedlength to provide proper vertical position for the plumbing fixture whensaid lower portions rest on said sill plates.

7. A mounting device as set forth in claim 6 in which the means forconnecting said upper portions to the frame members comprise elongatedstraps, each strap having one end connected to one of said upper carrierportions and being of sufiicient length that its other end may besecured to the remote side of the frame member such that said strappasses tranversely over two rear corners of its associated frame member.

8. A mounting device as set forth in claim 7 and in which said elongatedstraps are pierced to form projecting portions to secure said straps tothe frame members.

9. A mounting device as set forth in claim 7 and comprising spacerelements for wedging between the carrier end of each strap and itsadjacent frame member to maintain a desired spacing of said carrierbetween the frame members.

10. A mounting device as set forth in claim 9 and in which said spacerelements have one stepped side to provide for lateral adjustment whileeffecting planar contact.

11. A mounting device as set forth in claim 6 and in which the means forconnecting said upper portions to the frame members comprise elongatedstraps, each strap having secured at one end thereof a right angle braceapetured for connection to its associated upper carrier portions, theremainder of said strap being sufficiently long to wrap tranverselyabout its associated frame member to pass over the two rear cornersthereof, the other end of said strap being apertured to receivefastenings for fastening to the frame member.

12. A mounting device as set forth in claim 11 and in which said braceis formed with an elongated aperture to provide for lateral adjustmentof said carrier with respect to the frame members.

13. The mounting device as set forth in claim 11 and in which the uppercarrier portions are formed with elongated apertures to provide forlateral adjustment of said carrier with respect to the frame members.

14. A mounting device for supporting a plumbing fixture fromhorizontally spaced vertically positioned frame members and abovehorizontal sill plates fixed to the frame members comprising, a carrier,means attached to said carrier for supporting the plumbing fixturetherefrom, said carrier having upper extending legs and lower extendinglegs, elongated straps for connecting each of said legs to an adjacentframe member when said carrier is positioned between adjacent internallyfacing sides of the spaced frame members, each of said straps being ofsufficient length to fasten one end portion thereof to a side of anassociated frame member opposite its internally facing side and toconnect its other end to an associated carrier leg adjacent saidinternally facing side, means for attaching the other end of each ofsaid straps to an associated carrier leg, each of the lower legs of saidcarrier having downwardly extending portions of predetermined length forengaging the respective sill plates to vertical position said straps ontheir respective frame members.

15. A mounting device as set forth in claim 14 and in which saidelongated straps are pierced to form projecting portions to secure saidstraps to the frame members.

16. A mounting device for supporting a plumbing fixture fromhorizontally spaced vertically positioned studs mounted on horizontallypositioned sill plates compris ing a carrier, means for supportinglyconnecting a plumbing fixture to said carrier, said carrier having atleast two upper and two lower extending portions, a plurality ofelongated straps for connecting said corner portions to adjacent studs,each of two of said straps having an end formed to receive couplingmeans for connecting the strap to one of said carrier upper portions anda length sufficient to pass the free end of the strap over the rearedges of its associated stud, each of two additional of said strapshaving an end formed to receive coupling means for connecting the strapto one of said carrier lower portions and a length sufficient to passover the front edges of its associated stud, each of said additionalstraps being formed with a depending portion of predetermined length torest on its associated sill plate to position the carrier in correctvertical position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LAVERNE D.GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

15 H. ARTIS, Examiner.

1. A MOUNTING DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A PLUMBING FIXTURE FROM SPACEDVERTICALLY POSITIONED FRAME MEMBERS COMPRISING, A CARRIER, SAID CARRIERHAVING SECTIONS FORMED TO RECEIVE CONNECTING MEANS FOR SUPPORTINGLYCONNECTING THE PLUMBING FIXTURE THERETO AND APERTURED PORTIONS EXTENDINGIN THE DIRECTION OF THE FRAME MEMBERS, TOGETHER WITH MEANS FORCONNECTING SAID CARRIER PORTIONS TO SAID FRAME MEMBERS, SAID MEANSCOMPRISING ELONGATED MOUNTING STRAPS, MEANS FOR CONNECTING ONE ENDPORTION OF EACH OF SAID STRAPS TO AN ASSOCIATED CARRIER PORTION, SAIDSTRAPS BEING SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE TO WRAP TRANSVERSELY